A FURTHER consultation has now been launched to seek views on proposals for separate food and garden waste collections.

Basildon Council is seeking the views of residents following a successful trial of separate collections which concluded at the start of the year. Of those who took part 88% said they would be happy for it to be introduced.

The council is now formally consulting on the proposals from today, Monday, 12 July until midnight on Sunday, 22 August.

Chairman of the Leisure and Environment Committee Cllr Craig Rimmer said: "We have been set clear targets by The Circular Economy Package, which commit the UK to achieve a recycling rate of 65% by 2035, an ambition we have adopted in Basildon.

"Nationally, the revised Waste Strategy for England and the Environment Bill are also aiming to radically change how waste is reduced, reused and recycled.

"This will affect the way in which local authorities collect and treat waste. The forthcoming Environment Bill states that food and garden waste must be collected separately from homes and businesses from 2023. Because of this there are fewer places which will be able to accept mixed food and garden waste in the future. Over a third of what goes into our black sacks is food waste – this is environmentally damaging and we must all do our bit to make a difference.

"We are also working hard to become a carbon net-zero authority by 2030 with a borough target of achieving carbon net-zero status by 2050. Separation of food waste for recycling will help to reduce our environmental impact.

"This consultation is an opportunity for all residents to have a say on how we make these changes work for everyone."

To take part in the consultation clickthis linkl